Originally Posted by
VegasGambler
Who knows? These things require a background check. Maybe some complete instantaneously for whatever reason, and other don't?
I applied in early December FWIW. The FBI has already done more than one background check on me (most recently when I got my green card) but I'm not sure if that makes things faster or slower. It will be approved eventually; I really don't see what the big rush is. I've done several international trips as a green card holder (and thus able to go through the citizen line) without global entry and it's only taken me more than 5 minutes to get through the line once (and that was during the shutdown, when they appeared to be short-staffed). And even that was only about a 30 min wait.
I have gone through several FBI background checks in my life for various job requirements as well as federal firearms background checks. My wife has never gone through any of these, yet hers was approved in 3 days and mine is still pending since December 1st. Next trip is next week and I never imagined I wouldn't be approved before leaving. Of course, the government shutdown just added to the wait time, but still.....
You've been very fortunate on your re-entry experiences. What airports are you flying in to? What kind of plane? All my international trips except for one have been on wide body jets with hundreds of people on board into major gateways like LAX, DFW, ORD, JFK, BOS - no way are you getting through border control in 5 minutes even if you are sitting in the front of the plane. My average entry time is 20 - 30 minutes even with mobile passport.
FWIW, there is a new notice on the CBP website (at least I just now noticed it):
"The extended partial government shutdown has resulted in a substantial backlog of CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) applications and renewals.
Applicants for Global Entry (GE), SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST should expect significant delays in application processing times and limited appointment availability at TTP enrollment centers.
Conditionally approved GE members should seek to complete their GE interviews without an appointment upon arrival from an international flight at any of the 49 airports participating in CBP's Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) program."
Not very encouraging.
Originally Posted by
nickyhere
Just a data point for this thread:
Applied: Nov 5, 2018
Conditionally approved: Feb 1, 2019
Officially approved: Feb 4, 2019 (I was given my KTN at the conclusion of my interview)
The interview itself was super efficient, the officers very professional and friendly. Good luck to those who are still waiting on their conditional approvals!
Just curious - how did you get an interview 3 days after approval? Did you do enrollment on entry or were you just lucky to be able to schedule an interview that quickly?